Special Teams Often Overlooked
August 27th, 2024
Talks special teams.
Joe likes to tell the story of how an NFL general manager years ago told Joe that if a backup doesn’t play special teams (or doesn’t play special teams well), he’s an endangered species.
Last night when Joe published the tentative list of Bucs players that survived the 53-man cutdown, an angry commenter could not believe the Bucs kept Ko Kieft and was outraged by the decision to keep him.
Joe tried to explain Kieft is valuable on special teams and that is very likely why he is still working for Tampa Bay.
In an indirect way, Bucs coach Todd Bowles bragged today about his backup safeties being able to excel on special teams.
“We’ve got a lot of guys at the safety position that are very good special teams players,” Bowles said. “And they can help us on [special] teams, especially at the gunner spot, as well as [at] corner.
“A lot of them play nickel, as well. They’re multi-talented, so it’s hard to let them go.”
So there you have it. Special teams aren’t just a collection of wannabees thrown together haphazardly. Players have to be proficient at special teams.
So yeah, when you read about a surprise player on the roster who made the initial cut to 53 today, if it doesn’t make sense to you because a player you thought was more talented was released, it is very likely because of special teams.
August 27th, 2024 at 4:23 pm
I’m going to say this… in Madden I keep on wanting to replace Ko Kieft – and that guy goes out all the time and makes insane catches. His ratings stink, so I don’t know why, but he catches everything you throw at him. I wanted to use Culp and his 90 speed, but he drops everything. Meanwhile Ko is a decent blocker and can catch, despite his ratings, so he’s my H-back, even as I keep trying to replace him.
So basically I know what Licht and Bowles are going through.
August 27th, 2024 at 4:24 pm
Looking forward to seeing special teams with Coach Armstrong gone. Also a new long snapper.
August 27th, 2024 at 4:44 pm
Speaking of Special Teams… any chance the Bucs kick the tires on Lewis Cine?
Maybe he can make a comeback with the team he thought he was going to draft him in the first place.
August 27th, 2024 at 4:48 pm
Rod Munch Says:
August 27th, 2024 at 4:23 pm
I’m going to say this… in Madden I keep on wanting to replace Ko Kieft –…
I often wondered where you gleaned all your expert knowledge that you shower us with, now we know.
August 27th, 2024 at 6:21 pm
Last years madden I put cd3 at safety and zy at corner my defense instantly went up
August 27th, 2024 at 6:26 pm
I am with BakerFan on this one. Also I am ready for the real season to begin. Remember Rod Munch, this year team positive only. LFG BUCS
August 27th, 2024 at 6:28 pm
Wake me up when one of these “special team” guys does something special. How about a kick off or punt return for a TD?
I settle for a fumble return.
August 27th, 2024 at 6:35 pm
Those safeties that Bowles loves are good for covering kicks, which is all that Bowles and McGaughey appear to care about – NOT returning kicks. I don’t think the safeties would block as well as some LB’s like Vi Jones or Antonio Grier.
I hope we can get Grier on the practice squad as his interception of Miami was no fluke. He had three pick sixes in college, one at Arkansas and two at USF.
August 27th, 2024 at 10:00 pm
I saw safety Lewis Cine was released. It was reported buccaneers liked him coming out of the draft he’s been injured alot but id like to see him added to roster over kieft for special teams. I always thought he was an undersized linebacker which Tampa loves anyway. Im sure kieft can be added to practice squad.
August 27th, 2024 at 10:10 pm
He thinks the Bucs did him wrong. There’s some bad blood there.